I am looking to upgrade to a 3 bladed prop. Research on this site indicated a 9.5 or 10" by 15 is the way to go. I also understand I want a " sailor " prop. Are the props offered by Catalina Direct the proper types, or do I have to go through the Factory? !988 C34 M25XP engine. Thanks for all help and info on this site.
Peyton : As far as I know the factory 3 bladed "Sailor" props will be 9" pitch x 15" diameter. Most C34 people have repitched to 10"
Don't know if Catalina Direct has "Sailor" style props or not. Be where of Michigan Wheel as they may not be a Sailor style prop.
I have an 9 x 15 x 1 on my 1986 m25 if you over prop you have a chance of not getting up to RPM and the engine will smoke. I like the way the prop lets me back up. I get up to 6.7 knts with a clean bottom. Most of the time 6.5 in flat water Charlie
This is a photo of my Michigan Wheel "Sailer" 15 x 9. BTW it does a poor job in reverse...or perhaps it's me ...LOL! I am considering a switch to a 3-blade folding prop someday, to see how they perform. It may be even worse in reverse but less drag sailing?
Thanks Ron!
15x10. Been reported for years. Fixed 3 blade.
Stu, Based on other posts, I believe there is a difference between a Campbell "Sailor" and a Michigan "Sailer" like I have. Would you recommend repitching mine from 9 to 10? Before trying a folding prop?
Noah, I forget. Try these:
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4842.0.html
(http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4842.0.html%20 )
and
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6907.0.html
(http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6907.0.html)
Maine Sail's usually "right on."
Our prop:
Not questioning the 10 pitch, just want to know if it applies to both Campbell "Sailor" and Michigan "Sailer". Is there a difference? i don't know.
Yes, huge difference. The Campbell is a unique design that really pushes water. It was originally designed for tugboats I think. I was overpitched with Campbell's recommendation. IIRC it was 14x9, ditched the prop due to damage a few years ago. There are some discussions here and at Catalina owners.com for more info.
Quote from: Noah on September 09, 2014, 08:38:32 PM
Not questioning the 10 pitch, just want to know if it applies to both Campbell "Sailor" and Michigan "Sailer". Is there a difference? i don't know.
Noah, sorry, my links didn't answer your question. I'll do some more research.
Quote from: Ken Juul on September 10, 2014, 02:40:15 AM
There are some discussions here and at Catalina owners.com for more info.
Which is where I'd look. And with "mainesail" (here) and "Maine Sail" (on co.com as the author.
Noah, I Googled "differences between Michigan and Campbell propellers" and got this:
http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=6617 (http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=6617)
There are a few hits on co.com under Maine Sail if you do a search on "Campbell Michigan," but mostly about the advantages of a 3 blade vs 2 or folding in heavily tidal and strong current waters - not what you need.
Try here as Ken suggests, too.
Thx guys. I will read up further. It's going to be a ways off. Need to replenish my bank roll and do some more sailing first.
Noah, I noted your comment above about folding props being worse in reverse. I think that is a misconception, as least as far as it relates to the two Flexofold props I have owned. The prop walk with a fixed prop is a real issue - both boats I have owned have really gone sideways until you get some speed on. Much less prop walk and therefore more control with my three-blade Flexofold prop on both my C34 and my C387. The only negative about the Flexofold compared to a fixed prop (other than the price) is that it takes a lot more throttle to stop the boat but that is something you can adjust to. I bought the Flexofold for the sailing improvement (and it delivered) but was even more impressed by its performance under power.
That's good news. I read your earlier post about your decision to get the 10 pitch on the three-blade Flex-O-Fold. Would you still stick by that decision today, despite Flex-O-Fold's recommendation to go with 9 in. pitch?
I too agree re the Flexifold prop. The three blade 10 x 15 gives me over seven knots if i want it.
reverse is great. Love it and the folding prop from a fixed gave me another knot of cruising speed.
We were very happy with the Flexofold on our C34 (and are very happy with a Flexofold on our C387). I never thought it was over-propped on the C34 - we could reach maximum RPM without noticeable smoke. The sailing improvement was more noticeable in light air than heavy air but obviously a benefit. It was the improvement under power that was the big positive surprise.
If you are considering buying one, my suggestion is to buy it from a dealer here in the U.S. rather than from Flexofold directly. I bought our prop for our C387 from them directly (Flexofold no longer has a U.S. sales representative other than through dealers) and then was surprised by a $125 customs bill I received several weeks later. The Flexofold sales manager's response was to offer to refund my purchase if I was unhappy. That was not very feasible given that their prop was three feet under 38 degree Lake Michigan water.